Family Ties

Introduction:

· The Greatest joy is NOT college; grand-kids; income, BUT passing wisdom to next generation.

· BUT: SUCH a challenge because the culture is ALSO “raising” our children declining faith.

LET’S LISTEN TO A WORD OF WISDOM TO PARENTS, THEN TO YOUTH.

I) A Word of Wisdom to Parents

A. The Goals of Parenting:

i. To save the “soul from death” (vs. 14)

1. Proverbs on human nature: foolishnessà death, destruction (22:15)

2. So: If you’re a parent, your goal is to preserve your kids, to guard

ii. To impart “a fear of the Lord.” (vs. 17)

1. Parenting: not just teaching rules; showing how to orient life around a fear of God

2. Do your kids have a sense of awe, wonder, humility before God?

B. The Means of Parenting

i. Parents use a rod as a means of correction (vv. 13-14)

1. May/must we physically inflict corporal punishment?

2. So: Venting; losing your temper; lashing out aren’t using the rod, you’re

3. The word = a shepherding rod à God’s disciplining care for us

ii. Why we hate discipline - -and what to do about it

1. We resist discipline for fear of damaging self-image àauthenticity, etc.

2. But this is actually doing a great deal of harm to younger generation

3. Therefore: the best thing to do: Set limits; use the “rod” of discipline

Transition:

II) A Word of wisdom to those Who Have Parents

A. Seek Hope that won’t be cut off (rather than self-indulgence that leads to nothing)

i. Are we really that bad?

1. On the one hand we tend to point out faults of younger people (and this has no place in the church)

2. BUT: Proverbs warns all of us: the problem isn’t youth but human nature

ii. A Contrast: Living for the moment or living for hope (vv. 17-21)

1. We’re drawn into self-indulgence, drunkenness àemptiness, poverty

2. Parents: “A hope that isn’t cut off?” Your child WILL stand before God

B. Invest in Virtues that matter most

i. Parents urge you to buy what matters (vv. 22-24)

1. To “buy” = to invest yourself, to treasure, and value

2. Therefore: What do you value? Invest in what matters most!

ii. Application.

1. Wea are all “buyin” something: a degree, sports, career, family…

2. As you face college, marriage, future: What are you living for?

PREACHING ON THIS IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT FOR ME. WHY? SOME OF US AS PARENTS KNOW ALL TOO WELL THE CHALLENGES.

III) A Word of Wisdom to those Who Feel…

A. Overwhelmed as parents

i. To parents who don’t feel up to the task

1. 3 theories, no kids; 3 kids, no theories

2. Good news: We are in Christ, and he supplies the infinite wealth of resources we need

ii. To Parents who have many regrets

1. This is painful for some because you’ve made mistakes – or not – and your kids aren’t walking with the Lord…making foolish cohices

2. God forgives our every parenting mistake

3. The sovereign God is powerful enough to change

4. EXAMPLE: Story of Judy (change all details)

B. …Hurt as kids

i. Some of us are on the other end:

1. Parents let us down, didn’t set boundaries,

2. Used the rod fiercely…

ii. The Gracious God

1. God, loses his son, in order to bring spiritual orphans into the family

2. The gospel: God loses his son is estranged from Father’s perfect love

Transition:

Conclusion